The Call of Jeremiah

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb(A) I knew[a](B) you,
    before you were born(C) I set you apart;(D)
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.(E)

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak;(F) I am too young.”(G)

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid(H) of them, for I am with you(I) and will rescue(J) you,” declares the Lord.(K)

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched(L) my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.(M) 10 See, today I appoint you over nations(N) and kingdoms to uproot(O) and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 1:5 Or chose

Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

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The Prophet Is Called

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

“Before I (A)formed you in the womb (B)I knew you;
Before you were born I (C)sanctified[a] you;
I [b]ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Then said I:

(D)“Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

But the Lord said to me:

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And (E)whatever I command you, you shall speak.
(F)Do not be afraid of their faces,
For (G)I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

Then the Lord put forth His hand and (H)touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:

“Behold, I have (I)put My words in your mouth.
10 (J)See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To (K)root out and to pull down,
To destroy and to throw down,
To build and to plant.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 1:5 set you apart
  2. Jeremiah 1:5 appointed